[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Chapter 145: The Council of Elders Acknowledges Allenvert
“Just as I’ve heard, you’ve got a good sense, kid.”
Geninghen smiled contentedly at my response.
“Now, give your hand.”
I did as he asked.
“Let’s see.”
Geninghen’s bony, branch-like hand gripped mine tightly. Despite his frail appearance, his grip was surprisingly strong.
“Don’t be startled. Stay still.”
Soon, an incredibly pure flow of mana began to seep into through Geninghen’s palm.
‘Wow, this is…’
I was genuinely shocked.
I had thought Ulbhild’s mana was pure and of high quality, but this was on a completely different level. If her mana was like steam, this was like thick, viscous honey, wax, or molten tal.
‘It feels like an incredibly dense liquid mana is filling every vein in my body, taking control as if it were its own.’
This was a kind of shock. If this old mage could fill his body with mana of this density, just how powerful a spell could he unleash?
‘By the way…’
It struck again—probing soone’s body like this upon first eting is considered rude even in the underworld.
But judging by Geninghen’s expression, such common courtesies seed to an nothing to him.
‘The fact that he’s survived this long and is treated as an elder ans he’s ridiculously strong.’
Just looking at Olivier and Jeffrey, who were too stunned to intervene, it was easy to guess how formidable this man’s reputation was.
‘Why is soone like him here, and why is he scanning my body?’
The reason was probably obvious.
‘…He’s checking if I’m worthy of learning higher-level martial arts.’
At that mont, the cursed energy hidden in my dantian began to greedily devour Geninghen’s mana, just as it had done with the Nepherus's breath.
“Oh? Ohhh…!”
Geninghen, with childlike wonder, pushed even more mana into my body.
“Well, well, this is fascinating. What on earth is the principle behind this?”
I wasn’t sure where to begin explaining, so I simply said, “Aren’t you worried about mana deviation? You might die.”
“Huh? Hahaha! That won’t happen!”
Geninghen laughed heartily and withdrew his hand.
“Amazing, truly amazing. Venion’s report was accurate.”
Geninghen’s eyes, gleaming with madness, scanned my body.
“I heard you absorbed the Nepherus's breath whole, so I wanted to see for myself. There’s a strange power within you, one even I’ve never seen before.”
Then, smacking his lips, he added, “Kid, why don’t you co visit my workshop soti?”
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
An invitation to a mage’s workshop is just a polite way of saying, “Can I dissect you alive?”
“Hahaha! This kid, really!”
Geninghen laughed and slapped my back.
“I didn’t know you had such a sharp tongue. It’s been decades since soone talked to like I’m just so old man from the neighborhood.”
“You’re the first person to treat like this, too.”
“Hehe, who did you inherit that sharp tongue from? Your Father?”
What a terrifying thing to say.
“So, Elder, what’s your verdict after examining my body?”
Geninghen grinned mischievously.
“If I tell you now, it won’t be fun.”
“Wow.”
Really? That’s how you’re going to play it?
* * *
When Geninghen and I entered the banquet hall side by side, everyone stared at us in shock.
“E-Elder Geninghen?!”
“Greetings, Elder.”
The reputation of the Elder of Magic was clearly well-deserved. Even Karl, Ulbhild, and Verdzig stood up, looking sowhat surprised.
“Hey, brats. Long ti no see.”
“…”
Who else could address Grunewald’s golden children so casually?
The natural rudeness of his words left no one daring to object.
“You’re not uncomfortable with this old man crashing your dinner, are you?”
“Of course not.”
Karl’s response made Geninghen chuckle.
“Our eldest has grown so much from the little chick he used to be. Keep up the good work.”
“…”
Karl, looking slightly overwheld, replied, “Thank you, Elder.”
“Good.”
Geninghen then glanced at Verdzig and Ulbhild, nodding in satisfaction, before clicking his tongue at Sorset.
“Tsk.”
Then, he casually took a seat and snapped his fingers.
Snap!
Soft lights began to rise throughout the banquet hall.
‘Wow.’
Luminite stones, which glow when mana is applied, sparkled everywhere, making it feel like we had stepped into a land of fireflies.
“Get ready. Your father is about to arrive.”
As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
“His Grace, Duke Georg Grunewald, and his esteed three wives are entering. Please rise and show your respect.”
Creak.
The heavy doors opened, and father appeared, flanked by the head butler and Royal Guards.
The First and Second Ladies, each adorned in dresses of different colors, stood on either side, while the Third Lady walked beside the Second Lady, her lips tightly sealed.
Click, click.
In the silence, the sound of heels echoed through the hall, soon accompanied by a grand symphony welcoming their arrival.
“Greetings, Father.”
We all greeted him in unison, as if we had rehearsed it.
“Everyone, take your seats.”
His voice carried the power to instantly command the chaotic banquet hall.
‘Wow, the atmosphere…’
It felt as though the banquet hall had transford into a military conference room in an instant.
***
Even though music was playing, why did it feel so eerily silent?
The last banquet had been awkward and uncomfortable, but this one was even more so.
‘I’m going to choke on this al.’
We ate in silence, keeping a close eye on our father. The atmosphere was so tense that it felt like anyone who dared to speak first would be scolded for being disrespectful or rude.
Sorset, perhaps burdened by guilt, was completely cowed, while Barclava ate his soup with his head down as if it were poisoned.
Karl, Verdzig, and Ulbhild also kept their mouths shut, leaving as the only one boldly eating my al.
“Allenvert, it seems the food suits your taste,” said the Second Lady, Emngarde.
‘What’s this? Is she mocking ?’
Given who was speaking, it was a reasonable suspicion.
“Of course. Dining together like this makes everything taste even better.”
I replied cheerfully, pretending to be oblivious.
“Ah, I see.”
Emngarde didn’t add anything further. In the past, she would have thrown in a sarcastic remark, but whether it was because she was wary of Father or because I was no longer an easy target, I couldn’t tell.
‘By the way, they all look so awkward for a married couple.’
Father barely exchanged any words with his wives.
“…”
Silence returned. Father glanced around the room with a deep, contemplative gaze before quietly continuing his al, occasionally responding to his wives’ intermittent attempts at conversation.
But anyone who thought this was a peaceful scene was undoubtedly a fool, an unenlightened person, or a diocre individual.
‘Speaking of which…’
Amidst this, I noticed Verdzig was up to sothing.
‘What’s he doing now?’
Subtle, almost imperceptible energies were weaving through the room like mist, ensnaring my siblings and the servants.
‘He must have been probing us like this before too.’
It was a type of energy I had never felt before—completely different from intimidation or killing intent.
‘This isn’t the power of the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique.’
I couldn’t tell if he had mastered an advanced martial art or if he had privately learned a technique of a completely different nature.
‘It doesn’t work on Ulbhild and Karl.’
On the other hand, Sorset and Barclava were completely unaware of the energy wrapping around them.
‘Disappointing, brother.’
Barclava was still in the late stages of the 3rd tier, so I could let it slide.
But Sorset, who had reached the 5th tier, failing to detect this was a problem.
Then again, without Ulbhild’s guidance, I wouldn’t have noticed it either.
Hum.
I raised the power of the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique, which I had already mastered to the 12th stage, and ford an invisible sphere around .
“Haha.”
Verdzig smiled softly, as if he had expected this. His smile was so gentle that one might mistake him for a kind older brother testing his younger sibling.
“How does it feel to see the children after so long?”
At that mont, the First Lady, Isabella, broke the silence.
“It makes realize how quickly ti passes,” Father replied in a solemn voice.
“They’ve all grown into dignified adults, truly a joy for Grunewald.”
Though his tone was stern, I sensed a hint of sentintality in Father’s words.
“By the way, I’m curious why Elder Geninghen has graced us with his presence today.”
When the First Lady addressed him, Geninghen wiped his mouth and casually replied, “I ca to see my descendants.”
Despite his words, Geninghen’s gaze remained fixed on .
“Now, then.”
Father set his glass down with a thud.
“Let’s get to the main point.”
He looked around the room and continued.
“Today, there are two matters to discuss.”
We held our breaths, waiting for what would co next.
“One is a celebration, and the other is a warning.”
“…”
At that, all eyes turned to and Sorset.
“Allen, according to Venion’s report, you’ve reached the late stages of the 4th tier.”
“That’s correct.”
I answered.
“An unprecedented pace. And your martial achievents?”
I grinned.
“I’ve mastered the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique and reached the 10th level in the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship.”
“What…!”
“Already?”
The Second and Third Ladies looked at in shock.
‘Hehe.’
I laughed inwardly.
“This kid. He’s a natural.”
Geninghen chuckled and added, “I personally confird it earlier. His physical vessel is nearly perfect. He might even rival Verdzig.”
“…”
I glanced at Verdzig, who was smiling faintly, in stark contrast to Sorset’s grim expression.
“But even I can’t figure out how to solve his ti-limited constitution. I’ve thrown in the towel.”
‘I knew it.’
This confird my suspicion that the curse was indeed inherited from my mother’s side. If even Geninghen couldn’t figure it out, no one in Grunewald could.
“Actually, there’s a clue about the boy’s ti-limited constitution.”
In Zizek’s letter, it was written that my maternal grandfather, Balthazar, had ntioned sothing. This was the biggest reason I needed to et my mother.
“Even Elder Geninghen couldn’t decipher it.”
Ulbhild murmured.
“Who knows? If I take him to my workshop and dissect him, maybe I’ll find sothing.”
“What do you an, dissect?”
“Just kidding, just kidding!”
When I recoiled, Geninghen laughed heartily.
“Being born with a good vessel isn’t enough. But you’re different. Your martial talent is unparalleled, and you’ve proven your combat prowess through Venion’s trials. I couldn’t help but be amazed while reviewing his report.”
Geninghen pointed at .
“In my over 100 years of life, I’ve never seen anyone like you. How can such talent exist?”
“…”
This was the acknowledgnt of Geninghen, the Grand Elder of Grunewald. The shock in everyone’s eyes made it clear how significant this was.
‘Especially our mothers.’
They were glaring at as if they wanted to kill .
The servants and guards, as well as my siblings, all wore similar expressions.
‘He must be quite the impressive old man.’
The great archmage spoke.
“Say, may I speak on behalf of the Duke?”
Father nodded.
“Please do.”
What was Geninghen about to say? Was it the very thing I had been waiting for?
My heart pounded as I looked at Geninghen.
“Our descendants, excluding Allenvert and Barclava, have all begun learning advanced martial arts, correct?”
Geninghen, with his hands behind his back, surveyed the room.
“That’s correct.”
“Do you rember the process you went through to begin?”
Ulbhild answered this question.
“The direct descendants of Grunewald go through four stages. Once you’ve mastered all the basic techniques and reached the second stage, you can inherit advanced martial arts with the approval of the Duke and the Council of Elders.”
“Right. Specifically, you need the approval of the sword instructor first, and then we assess your qualifications.”
Therefore, Geninghen continued.
“As the representative of the Council of Elders, my word here carries the weight of the council.”
Geninghen gestured, and a warm blue sphere enveloped .
“I hereby declare that the Council of Elders acknowledges Allenvert Grunewald, the fourth son of Georg Grunewald, as worthy of learning Grunewald’s advanced martial arts.”
Father added.
“I also acknowledge this.”
“With this, Allenvert Grunewald is officially permitted to inherit the clan’s advanced martial arts.”
I had been granted the right to learn the techniques I had never even glimpsed in my past life.
How much stronger could I beco?
What could I achieve with that power?
My heart raced like a child receiving a new toy.
Geninghen said.
“Co closer.”
I stood before Geninghen. He gently patted my shoulder and advised.
“Child, don’t beco complacent. The god of martial arts only smiles upon those who relentlessly strive forward.”
These were the words of a grand mage who had walked the path of enlightennt and reached the pinnacle. I humbly replied.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“The sa goes for the rest of you. Don’t rest on your current achievents. Strive fiercely.”
Geninghen’s gaze swept over the six of us.
“Now, only one stage remains for you—the supre martial arts reserved solely for the Duke and his successor.”
“…”
At those words, I could feel the competitive aura emanating from Verdzig and Karl.
“Strive and strive again. Only one can sit on the throne.”
We all answered in unison.
“We’ll keep that in mind.”
…The true succession war had only just begun.
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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